Petrucelli, Gaetana

Description

Early Life

Gaetano Petrucelli was born on February 6, 1886, in Castelfranco in Miscano, in the province of Benevento, Italy, the son of Raffaele Petrucelli and Carmela Jacurci. He immigrated to the United States in 1902 as a young man, part of the early wave of Italian immigration that brought many workers to New York and the surrounding region in search of economic opportunity.

By 1917, he was living at 12 High Street in Rye, New York, and working as a laborer. At the time of his draft registration, he reported that his father was dependent upon him for support, reflecting the continued family obligations often carried by immigrant workers.

World War I Service

Petrucelli entered military service on June 24, 1918, having been inducted in Westchester County, New York. He was assigned to Company M of the 345th Infantry Regiment, part of the 87th Infantry Division.

The 87th Division, composed largely of National Army draftees, trained for combat deployment during the final phase of World War I. While the division did not enter combat as a complete unit, many of its soldiers’including those of the 345th Infantry’were sent overseas as replacements and support personnel within the American Expeditionary Forces. These troops were essential in reinforcing front-line units during the final Allied offensives of 1918 and the occupation period that followed.

Petrucelli served overseas from August 23, 1918, to February 27, 1919, placing him in France during the closing months of the war. He served in the rank of Private and sustained no wounds or injuries in action.

He was honorably discharged on March 10, 1919, following demobilization.

Life After Service

Following his return from military service, Petrucelli remained in Rye, where he became a long-time employee of the City of Rye Department of Public Works. He worked as a maintenance man for more than twelve years before retiring, contributing to the upkeep and infrastructure of the community in which he had settled.

He married Anita Roberti, and together they raised a family in Rye. He was a devoted member of the Church of the Resurrection in Rye for over fifty years and was also active in veteran organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Les Vingt-Cinq Post in Port Chester.

Gaetano Petrucelli died on November 1, 1960, at his home at 37 High Street in Rye at the age of 74.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Anita Roberti Petrucelli; his daughters, Mrs. Carmela Calandrillo and Mrs. Susan Malaterra of Rye; his son, Ralph G. Petrucelli of Port Chester; four grandchildren; and his brother, Michael Petrucelli of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.